Process for manufacturing gases.



H. F. FREULER. PRocEss FoR MANUFACTURING GASES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6,1916. 1,286,577, Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

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RMR @MRR A THNEYS H. F. FREULER.

PROCESS FOR MANurAcrumNG GASES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6.1916.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.A

WIT/VESSES: jow/01%@ 5J W HERBERT FREDERTCK FREULER, OF WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON.

PROCESS .FOR MANUFACTURING GASES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, l1918.

Application led June 6, 1916. Serial No. 101,945.

T 0 all ywhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HERBERT F. FREULER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Talla lValla, in the county of Valla Talla and State of VaShingtGn, have invented an Improvement in Processes for Manufacturing Gases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in the manufacture of gases and has particular reference to the production of carbon monoXid and hydrogen. i

An object of the invention is to provide a process forv making gases wherein a mass of carbon substance is electrically charged by an initial current of comparatively high voltage whereby the carbon is heated after which the voltage may be reduced and steam passed through thel mass whereupon the oxygen of the steam combines with the carbon and leaves the hydrogen free thus forming the desired gases.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which, for the purpose of illustrating the invention, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the furnace constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the mounting for one of the electrodes used in connection with the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the furnace.

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken at right' angles to Fig. 3.

The invention, as illustrated in the drawings, is now believed to be in its preferred form and consists of a furnace having a metallic casing 5 hermetically sealed at the seams and at the entrance openings 6 and 7 formed in the top and sides of the furnace. respectively, to permit of access to the interior thereof. with a lining 8 formed of an electrical insulating refractory material, preferably lire brick. The furnace is adapted to contain a mass of carbon or charcoal 9 which is heated through the medium of a series of carbon electrodes 10 mounted in opposite sides of the furnace and projecting laterally into said mass.

Each of the electrodes 10 is mounted in a stuffing box or gland 11 separated from the The casing 5 is provided casing 5 by means of insulation 12 and said electrode is adjustable laterally in said lire box whereby the distance between the inner ends of the several electrodes in the furnace may be varied. The electrodes 10 are connected to a suitable source of electric current of comparatively high voltage, depending upon the size of the furnace, which current is adapted to be passed through the mass of carbon material 9 in order that the same may be heated. The electrodes are initially adjusted so that the inner end of each is in close proximity with the one opposite, the same being so adjusted owing to the resistance of charcoal or other carbon material at a. low temperature. A s the temperature rises and the conductivity of the carbon mass increases, which could be indicated by a meter (not shown) connected to the source of current, the electrodes are withdrawn outwardly but not sufficient to destroy the contact between the same and said mass. After this operation, the initial current may be disconnected and a current of lower voltage may be substituted, which change affords improved means for regulating the heat, as with the low resistance of the heated carbon too much current might pass through the mass at the initial voltage and thus cause a higher temperature than is required which would result in a loss of electrical power.

After the carbon mass has been heated to the desired and proper temperature, steam, preferably superheated. furnished from a source notshown, is injected into the mass by means of a spraying device 13 having an inlet 14 extending up through the bottom of the furnace to supply the steam to the several nozzle openings 15 which are adapted to distribute the fluid in all directions. Upon the passage through the carbon mass of the superheated steam the latter is decomposed and the oxygen thereof combines with the charcoal or carbon to form carbon monoxid while the hydrogen is left free. The gases thus formed are permitted to escape from the furnace through the outlets 16 in the top thereof communicating with the pipes 17 which convey the gases to a source.

'hat is claimed is:

1. The herein described process for the production of gases consisting of first electrically heating a mass of carbon material with a current of comparatively high voltage, reducing said voltage lto regulate the temperature of said mass, and then injecting super-heated steam into the mass whereby the fluid is decomposed and the oxygen of the steam combines with the carbon forming carbon monoXid and free hydrogen.

l2. The herein described process for the production of gases, which consists in lirst 4 and carbon monoxid and free hydrogen are A formed. y

3. The herein described process for the production of gases, which consists in first subjecting a mass of carbon material vdisposed between two conducting electrodes, to a current of comparatively'high Voltage, separating the electrodes farther apart when the mass has been heated and its resistance lowered, reducing the voltage supplied to the electrodes, and subsequently injecting superheated steam into the mass, whereby the steam is decomposed and carbon monoxid and free hydrogen are formed.

HERBERT FREDERICK FREULER. 

